Golf ball washer



April 2, 1963 K. R. WITTEK GOLF' BALL WASHER Filed Oct. 9, 1962 April 2,1963 K. R. wrm-:K

GOLF BALI.. WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1962 April 2, 1963 K.R. WITTEK GOLF BALL WASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 0G12. 9, 1962 INYEN wn/gym j?. lbum/M441, j@ r United States Patent Ofi 3,083,389 PatentedApr. 2, 1953 linois Filed Get. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 229,382 12 Claims. (Cl.15-9'7) This invention relates to a golf ball washer and has particularrelation to an improved golf ball washer of the rotary type and capableof washing large quantities of golf balls in a short time.

Practice driving ranges and the practice areas with which some golfcourses are provided are often faced with a considerable problem inkeeping the golf balls washed and cleaned, The player who wishes topractice obtains, for example, a pail or basket of golf balls andpractices golf shots, driving the balls into a practice field.Frequently a considerable number of people practice simultaneously and,as a result, a large number of golf balls must be available for use. Itis often necessary to wash the balls between the time they are used bydifferent people to remove dirt, grass, sand, weeds, rocks and otherforeign matter from the surfaces of the balls,

The present invention provides an improved golf ball washer which willeffectively wash and work dirt and other foreign matter from thesurfaces of large quantities of golf balls in a short time, and a golfball washer in which the dirt, grass, sand, weeds, rocks, or otherforeign matter washed and worked from the surfaces of the balls aredischarged from the path of the washer where the Washing and cleaning ofthe balls takes place without requiring additional operations forremoving such foreign matter.

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises arotatable cylindrical drum and a casing having -a curved surface spacedoutwardly from the drum. Spiral rib means is attached to the curvedsurface of the casing and disposed in the space between the drum and thecurved surface. The spiral rib means defines a spiral path for the ballsfrom an inlet through which the balls are introduced into the spiralpath adjacent one end of the drum to an outlet from which the balls aredischarged from position adjacent the opposite end of the drum. Livemolded rubber covers the outer surface of the drum and the interior ofthe curved surface of the casing and has patterns therein between whichthe balls are gripped and advanced spirally within the spiral path fromthe inlet to the outlet. The rotation of the drum relative to the curvedsurface produces a turning of the balls relative to the drum and thecurved surface of the casing for Working dirt and other foreign matterfrom the surfaces of the balls. The lower portion of the drum rotateswithin a pan for holding water with a detergent therein for washing theballs with a scrubbing action in their movement through the spiral pathfrom the inlet to the outlet. The curved surface of the casing has anoutlet in the bottom thereof through which dirt and other foreign matterremoved from the balls is discharged from the spiral path between thedrum and the curved surface of the casing.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball Washer of theaforementioned character, wherein the outlet in the bottom of the curvedsurface of the casing discharges into the pan or vessel which holds thewater with detergent.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball Washer whereinthe outlet in the bottom of the curved surface of the casing comprises apair of circumferentially spaced outlet openings extendinglongitudinally beneath the entire longitudinal extent of the spiral pathand each of a width less than the diameters of the golf balls.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthe outlet in the bottom of the curved surface of the casing comprisesan outlet opening extending beneath the entire longitudinal extent ofthe spiral path, and wherein there is a perforated screen covering theoutlet opening to prevent passage of the balls through this opening andthrough which screen dirt and other foreign matter removed from theballs is discharged from the spiral path between the drum and the curvedsurface.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthe outlet in the bottom of the curved surface of the casing comprises.an opening extending longitudinally beneath the entire longitudinalextent of the spiral path, and wherein there is a member of less widththan the opening extending longitudinally through the opening andsecured to the ends of the drum with each of the longitudinal edges ofthe member spaced from the sides of the opening to form a pair ofcircumferentially spaced outlet openings.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthere is a discharge spout having a perforated bottom over which theballs are discharged from the outlet from the spiral path.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball Washer, whereinthe top of the pan is open along one side of the curved surface of thecasing and wherein there is -a discharge spout having a perforatedbottom over which the balls are discharged from the outlet from thespiral path with the perforated bottom of the discharge spout extendingover the opening in the top of the pan.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthere is an upwardly opening hopper for receiving the golf balls andoverlying the casing and having a chute for discharging the balls intothe inlet end of the spiral path in the direction of rotation of thedrum.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball Washer of thecharacter described, wherein the upper half of the casing is hinged forswinging movement to open position for access to the drum.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthe upper half `of the casing is hinged for swinging movement to openposition for access to the drum and wherein there is a support elevatedabove the supporting surface for the washer when the upper half of thecasing is closed and movable into cooperation with the supportingsurface to support the upper half of the casing when in open position.

Another feature resides in the provision of a golf ball washer, whereinthe upper half of the casing is hinged for swinging movement to openposition for access to the drum and wherein there is ange means on thetop of the pan bridging the junction between the upper and lower partsof the casing externally thereof.

Another feature resides in the provision of -a golf ball washer of thecharacter described, wherein there is a drain outlet opening from thebottom of the pan.

Further features and numerous advantages and adaptations of theinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood thatthe invention is limited only Within the scope or" the appended claimsand not to the particular embodiment selected for illustration.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front view of a golf ball washer embodying the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view partially broken away and in section viewed fromthe left hand end of FlGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional View through the bottom of the drum`and the bottom of the curved surface 'of the 'casing and 'showingoutlet openings for discharging dirt 'and other foreign matter removed`from the balls from the spiral path between the drum and the curvedsurface and, into the pan; Y

'FIGURE 5 is aifragtnentary sectional view taken valong the`lirIeS---S'of FIGURE 4; A

FIGURE l61is a fragmentary sectionalvi'ew takenal'ojng the lline 6-*6 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE V7 'is a fragmentaryfsectional the line 7-7 of FIGUREZ; FIGURE 8is a fragmentary view of the live molded rubber-covering showing oneform of 'pattern in the surface thereof;

FIGURE 9 isa view of 'the live molded rubber coverf ingtakenalongthe'1ine9-"9 of FIGURE 8; and VFIGURE y1"() 'is a viewsimilarfto FIGURE 4 showing another y"form of Voutlet in the bottom ofthe curved Vsurface Vof the casing with a perforated 'screen covering'the outlet opening. Y

Referring 4to the drawings, `the golf ball washer according to thepresent invention comprises a pan or vessel 1 having 'front and rearwalls 2 and 3, iside walls 4 .and a bottom wall 5. The bottom of thevessel 1 .is supported imposition elevated Vabove the ground or othersupporting 'sur/face 6 by vsupports 7 at vthe corners thereof.

l'The top of the vessel 1 is open at 8 and fixed `in this opening anddepending intopthe 'interior of lthe vessel 1 is the lower 'half 9oa-casing. I'he lower casing halfhas a semi-cylindrical wall :10 and endwalls 11 and is open at the top. Y

The upper half 12 of the casing has a 'semi-'cylindrical wall 13 aud'endwalls 14 and is open vat the bottom. The

lView 'taken along upper casinghalf 12 is hinged at 1S forswi'ngingmovement to open position to allow 'access `to `the interior of thecasing and to the 4rotatable cylindrical drum 16 Vwithin the casing aswill be presently described. When closed, the lower edges of thesemi-cylindrical Wall 13 'and the lower edges of the end vwalls 14 seatupon 'the upper edges of the semi-cylindrical Vwall `10 and the upperedges of the end walls along the 'junction 18. Conveniently re-Vleasable latch means 'is Yprovided at V20 nand 21 on the upper 'andlower casing parts 12 and 9 for latching the upper part 12 inV closed'positiouas shown in FIGURE 2. The upper casing part 12-has a handle 22'for swinging the 'same to `open position when the latch means isreleased and for returning the 'same -to closed position.

The drum '16 is of hollow cylindrical Yform'having a cylindrical wall 24and end walls 25 and is fixed to Vturn with a shaft or shaft Vparts 26journaled for rotation .in suitable bearings 27 attached, for example,4at 28 to lthe vessel 1. The shaft or shaft parts 26 'and the drum `16are rotated by an electric motor 30 and a suitable coupling is provided'at 32. 'The 'motor 30 is supported on a sup. port 33 onthe vessel 1 andthe support 33 is `braced at 34. The outer periphery of the drum 16 isspaced inwardly from the curved surfaces presented by thesemi-cylindrical walls 10 and 13. Complementary spiral Vribs 36V areattached to the inner surfaces of the upper and lower .casing parts 12and 9, for example, by suitable .clips or angular members 38. When theupper casing VVpart ..12 -is closed, the ends ofthe spiral ribs 36:att-ached thereto meet the ends of the ribs 36 attached to the lowerVcasing part -as shown at 40 in FIGURE 3. Thesemeeting ends 40 are atthe junction 18 between .the upper and Alower casing parts 12 and .9.

The spiral ribs r36 are disposed in the space -between the outerperiphery of the drum 16 andthe `inner peripheries of thesemi-cylindrical walls 1() and 13 and denne a spiral path for the ballsfrom an inlet 42 through which Athe balls are introduced into the.spiral path adjacent one end of thedrum 16 to an outlet 43 from whichthe balls are discharged vfrom position adjacent the opposite end of thedrum 16.

The top of Ythe pan or vessel 1 is open at 45 along one side of thecasing `part 9. A `discharge spout 46 is at` spaanse tached to thecasing part 12 and delivers the washed and cleaned balls from the'outlet 43, 'for example, Vto a pail or basket 51 which may be"supported on the ground or other supporting surface 6. The spout 46 isof trough shaped form having upright flanges 48 and a bottom 49perforated at 50. The perforated bottom of the spout 46 extends over theopening 45 and as a result any water, so forth etc., on the ballswilldrop down into the vessel 1.

Mounted upon the upper casing part 12 is an upwardly opening hopper 52with metal supporting `straps S3 and 54 between lthe hopper and theupper casing part 12. The hopper S2 overliesthe casing part 12 and opensupwardly for receiving the balls :to be washed and cleaned. Thebottom'of the Yhopper 52 opens intoa chute 56 which discharges the ballsfrom the hopper into the spiral path between the drum 16 and casingparts 9 and 12 through the inlet 42. The chute 56 discharges the ballsinto the spiral path in the "direction of rotation of the drum '16 asshown `by 'the arrow A in FIGURE 3.

A drain outlet'SS opens from the bottom ofthe -vessel 1 and forwardlyYfrom the Washer and 'has a 'closure .cap `60 screwed on its forwardend. Removal of the cap 60 permits draining the contents of the vessel 1therefrom. The discharge may be out onto the ground, or into a sewer, orotherwise as desired.

Live molded Yrubber 62 vcovers 'and is secured 'to the outer surface ofthe cylindrical wall 2`4 ofthe drum 16. Live molded'r'ubber '64 alsocovers vand is secured 'to 'the irmer surfaces of the semi-cylindricalwalls 1t) and 13 of the lower and upper casing parts V9 and 12.

In `FIGURES 6 'and 7 the Vangular 'members 38 are shown as secured tothe casing vparts '9 and 12 by fastener means 66 'passing through therubber coverings and through the walls 10 and 1`3 ofthe casing parts 9and 12. The spiral ribs 36 Vmay Vbe welded or otherwise se- 'cured tothe 'angular members 38.

The live molded 'rubber covering "62 and the Vlive molded rubber lining`64 have patterns -in their opposite surfaces, for example, as shown in:FIGURES 'i8 and 9. In FIGURES 8 and '9 these patterns 'are ofcross-Work form with connected generally 'triangular ends and with theinner and outer edges '70 relatively The edges 70 of the covering v62are spaced from the edges "70 of the lining 64 an amount less than thediameters of the 'golf balls. As a result, the golf balls y'l2 aregripped be-V tween .the edges 70 with some distortion of these edges 70and are advanced spirally within Vthe spiral path from the inlet 4'2 tothe outlet =43.

The surfaces ofthe spiral ribs 36 presented tothe balls 72 are coveredwith live molded rubber 74 secured to the ribs 36 andhaving -a Apatternin the surface thereof, which may, for example, be similar to thepattern shown in FIGURES 8 -and 9.A The molded rubber cover `62 and themolded Vrubber lining 64 may Ihavecloth-like bases 75 'formed in layersand the molded rubber covering 74 ou the ribs 36 may likewise have acloth-like `base 76 formed in layers.

In the operation of the machine the vessel lis -illed with watenhaving asuitable detergent in it, for example, to the level shown by :line .l-Bkin FIGURE 2. The motor 30 is turned on by means of al switch 30 torotate the drum Y16 and the gol-f balls rare introduced .into the opentop of the `hopper 5-2 and enter the spiral path between the drum 16 andthe casing parts 9 and 12 through the inlet 42. The ,balls 72 aregripped between theedges 70 of the live molded rubber covering V62 and'lining V64 and are advanced spirally within the spiral path from theinlet 42 to the outlet 43 from which Voutlet V43 the washed balls aredischarged through the spout 46.

The lower portion of the drum 16 rotates in -the water with detergent invessel 1. The rotation of the drum 16 relative .to the rubber coveredsurfaces of the casing parts 9-and -12 produces a 'turning of the ballsrelative to the drum I116 andcasing parts 9 and 12 and'relative to themoldedrubber covering 74 on the ribs 36 in the spiral movement of theballs from the inlet 42 to the outlet 43. As a result, the molded rubberedges 70 effectively scrub and work dirt and other foreign matter, such,for example, as rocks, gra-ss, sand, weeds, so forth etc., from thesurfaces of the golf balls and out of the dimples in the surfaces of theballs.

The bottom'of the wall 10 of the lower casing part 9 and the moldedrubber lining 64 on the inner surface of the wall 1G have an outletopening 78 therethrough. This opening extends longitudinally beneath theentire longitudinal extent of the spiral path between the drum andcasing. A member 80 of less width than the opening 78 and having a liverubber covering 82 on its inner surface, similar to the coveringspreviously described, extends longitudinally through the opening 78. Theedges f the member 80 and its covering -82 are spaced from the sides ofthe opening 78 as shown in FIGURE 4 to form a pair of circumferentiallyspaced outlet openings from the spiral path between the drum 16 and thecasing parts 9 and 12 into the vessel 1. Thus, dirt and other foreignmatter washed, worked, or otherwise removed from the balls aredischarged from the spiral path into the vessel 1 for discharge throughthe drain outlet 58.

The two openings into which the opening 78 is divided by the member 8Oand its covering 82 are of widths considerably less than the diametersof the golf balls 72 so that the balls will not be discharged through orbecome engaged in the discharge openings. The ends of the member `80 areturned inwardly as shown at 84 in FIG- URE and these ends 84 are securedto the ends o-f the lower casing part 9, for example, by screws 485 andnuts 86 -In FIGUR-E 10 the bottom o-f the wall 10 of the lower casingpart and the molded rubber lining 64 on the inner surface thereof, havean outlet opening '88 therethrough through which dirt and other foreignmatter washed, worked, or otherwise remo-ved from the golf balls isdischarged from the spiral path between the drum and casing parts andinto the water with detergent containing vessel 1. In this form of theinvention, the open- 1ng 88 is covered by a perforated screen 96. Thescreen 90 prevents passage of the golf balls through the opening 88 andpermits dirt and other yforeign matter removed from the halls todischarge from the spiral path between the drum and easing and into thepan or vessel containing water with a detergent.

The ends of the screen 9i) are turned inwardly and secured to the endsof the lower ca-sing part, lfor example, by screws 92.

The top of the pan or vessel 1 has Iilange means 94 which bridges 0rcovers the junction between the upper and lower parts of the casingexternally thereof when the upper casing part is in closed position asshown in FIG-URE 2.

The strip 53 has an angular member -95 attached thereto. A support 96 ispivoted to this member 95 at 98 and has a lower angular end 99. Thesupport 96 is elevated above the ground or other supporting surface forthe washer when the upper half of the casing is closed and the lowerangular end 99 o-f the support moves into cooperation with the ground orother supporting surface tosupport the upper half of the casing when inopen pos1t1on.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed in the drawings and thespecification are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to beexpressely understood that said drawings and the specifications are notto be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention,reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. A golf ball washer comprising a rotatable cylindrical drum, a casinghaving a curved surface spaced outwardly from said drum, spiral ribmeans attached to the curved surface of said casing and disposed in thespace between said drum and said curved surface, said spiral rib meansdefining a spiral path for the balls `from an inlet through which theballs are introduced into said spiral path adjacent one end of the drumto an outlet from which the balls are discharged from position adjacentthe opposite end of the drum, livernolded rubber covering the outersurface of the druml and the-curved surface and having patterns thereinbetween which the balls are gripped and advanced spirally within saidspiral path from said inlet to said outlet, the rotation ofthe drumrelative to said curved surface producing a turning of the ballsrelative to the drum and curved surface Afor working dirt and otherforeign matter from the surfaces of the balls, and a pan for holdingWater with a detergent therein within which the lower portion of thedrum rotates for washing the balls with a scrubbing action in theirmovement through said spiral path from said inlet to said`outlet, saidcurved surface of said casing having an outlet in the bottom thereofthrough which dirt and other yforeign matter removed from the balls isdischarged from the spiral path between said drum and said curvedsurface.

2. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein the outlet in thebottom of the curved surface of the oasing discharges into the pan.

3. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein the outlet in thebottom of the curved surface of the casing comprises a pair ofcircumferentially spaced outlet openings extending longitudinallybeneath the entire longitudinal extent of said spiral path and with eachof said openings of a width less than the ydiameters of the golf balls.

4. A golf ball washer 'according to `claim 1, wherein the `outlet in thebottom Iof the curved surface of the casing comprises an outlet openingextending beneath the entire longitudinal extent of the spiral path,fand a perforated screen covering said `outlet opening to preventpassage of the balls through said opening and through which screen dirtand other foreign matter removed from the balls is discharged from thespiral path between the drum )and the curved surface.

5. A Igolf ball washer `according to claim l, wherein the outlet in thebottom :of the curved surface of the casing comprises an openingextending longitudinally beneath the entire longitudinal extent of saidspiral path, and =a member of less Width than said opening extendinglongitudinally through said opening and secured to the ends of the drum,each =of the longitudinal edges of said member vbeing spaced from thesides of the opening to form :a pair of circumferentially spaced outletopenings.

6. A Igolf ball washer .according t-o claim l, wherein there is adischarge spout having a perforated bottom over which the balls aredischarged from the outlet from said spiral path.

7. A `golf ball Washer yaccording to claim l, wherein the top of the panis open along one side of the curved surface of the casing, yand a`discharge spout having a perforated bottom `over which the balls aredischarged from the outlet from said spiral path, said perforated bottomlof Isaid `discharge spout extending over the opening in the top of thepan.

8. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein there is an upwardlyopening hopper :for receiving the golf balls, said hopper :overlyingsaid casing Iand having a chute for discharging the balls into the inletend of said spiral path in the direction of rotation of the drum.

9. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein the upper half ofthe casing is hinged for swinging movernent to open position for accessto the drum.

10. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein the upper half ofthe casing is hinged for swinging movement to open position for :accessto the drum, and a support elevated above the supporting surface for thewasher when the upper half of the casing is closed and movable intocooperation with said supporting surface `to support said upper half ofsaid casing when in yopen position.

V11. A golf ball washer according to claim 1,l wherein the upper half-of -the easing -is fhinged for swinging movement to open position foraccess to the drum, and ange 5, means. on the top of the pan bridgingthe junction be- I'tween the upper and lower parts of the casingexternally thereof.

12. A golf ball washer ,according to claim 1, wherein there` is a drainoutlet opening from the bottom of the 10 pan.

UNITED ,STATES PATENTS Mitchell Aug. 30, 11907 Taplin Apr. 4, 1916'vFloyd et al. M-ar. 31, 1931 Young .w Dec. 3, 19'57 Davy June 12, 19672FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain r- K 1888

1. A GOLF BALL WASHER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CYLINDRICAL DRUM, A CASING HAVING A CURVED SURFACE SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID DRUM, SPIRAL RIB MEANS ATTACHED TO THE CURVED SURFACE OF SAID CASING AND DISPOSED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID DRUM AND SAID CURVED SURFACE, SAID SPIRAL RIB MEANS DEFINING A SPIRAL PATH FOR THE BALLS FROM AN INLET THROUGH WHICH THE BALLS ARE INTRODUCED INTO SAID SPIRAL PATH ADJACENT ONE END OF THE DRUM TO AN OUTLET FROM WHICH THE BALLS ARE DISCHARGED FROM POSITION ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE DRUM, LIVE MOLDED RUBBER COVERING THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE DRUM AND THE CURVED SURFACE AND HAVING PATTERNS THEREIN BETWEEN WHICH THE BALLS ARE GRIPPED AND ADVANCED SPIRALLY WITHIN SAID SPIRAL PATH FROM SAID INLET TO SAID OUTLET, THE ROTATION OF THE DRUM RELATIVE TO SAID CURVED SURFACE PRODUCING A TURNING OF THE BALLS RELATIVE TO THE DRUM AND CURVED SURFACE FOR WORKING DIRT AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTER FROM THE SURFACES OF THE BALLS, AND A PAN FOR HOLDING WATER WITH A DETERGENT THEREIN WITHIN WHICH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DRUM ROTATES FOR WASHING THE BALLS WITH A SCRUBBING ACTION IN THEIR MOVEMENT THROUGH SAID SPIRAL PATH FROM SAID INLET TO SAID OUTLET, SAID CURVED SURFACE OF SAID CASING HAVING AN OUTLET IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF THROUGH WHICH DIRT AND OTHER FOREIGN MATTER REMOVED FROM THE BALLS IS DISCHARGED FROM THE SPIRAL PATH BETWEEN SAID DRUM AND SAID CURVED SURFACE. 